Fans of Ren – It's OK! Sho had left the story!

For now…HA HA HA!

It's funny because you don't know if I'm joking or not!

Anonymous Jane – I'm so glad I managed to convert you to the ShoKyoko following! The thing about Sho just walking away is that he's confused! CONFUSED I TELL YOU! Ha ha – that and it won't be the last time he's mentioned…

I'm not a strict follower of either RenKyoko or ShoKyoko – it depends on what I'm feeling so…We'll see how the story progresses shall we?

If you wish I could write some ShoKyoko for New Year…? Something that could carry on from the last chapter…? Tell me what you think.

And for everyone else – you have no idea what I'm planning for Ren.

HA HA HA!

If you wanted try reading the first half of this chapter while listening to 'One Republic – Apologise (Timberland Remix)'. It's what I wrote it to.

P.S. Can anyone spot the parallels?

Advent
Day 14 – 11 days to go

Kanae leaves

Kyoko stood before the L.M.E building.

The sun had just risen and was glinting off the top windows.

It felt weird to be back.

To not have to work with Sho…

To not have to see him at all.

She was surprised that she felt a slight pang of disappointment at that.

She had thought that her hate for him had been absolute.

That it had poisoned her.

But apparently not.

It was a hazard though, she mused, learning to love again…to build herself anew.

She couldn't keep hate in her heart if she was to manage that.

But was she ready to love Sho again?

True, he had acted towards her in a way that made her heart hurt and her stomach clench…

But this was the man that she had loved unconditionally for so many years. To desperately beg with anything that was listening for him to save her from the loneliness and hurt inside of her.

For one day to suddenly turn and see her…supporting him in his weakest moments…when he thought no one was there or he didn't want anyone to help.

Believing that he was one day going to realise that she had always been behind him.

Ready to do anything.

Ready to sacrifice anything.

But he hadn't. He had thrown her away.

And it hurt.

So no…she wasn't ready to forgive him just yet.

That kind of betrayal couldn't be put right within six days.

But Kyoko knew…knew that if she wanted to ever love someone again she would have to face her past.

To learn to forgive those who had wronged her and greet the world with a pure heart once again.

Something deep inside her told her she was going to be able to do it.

That if she put her mind to it she would be able to love.

Smiling she didn't try to push away the pain inside of her.

She had to confront these feelings and come out the other side.

But she would stop thinking about it.

She could afford herself that much.

After all…it was only 11 days until Christmas.

She patted her bag; reassured when she felt Kanae's present.

This was her last day before she went on her Christmas holiday so Kyoko had to make sure that she got the present.

The sound of a car speeding away on the road behind her woke her from her thoughts.

She still had to go in!

Rushing up the steps she swung open the doors.

It felt like she was coming home.

The entrance looked like Santa's sleigh had blown up.

Tinsel and paper chains were hanging from everywhere and the giant Christmas tree looked absolutely gorgeous.

There was even more decorations then there had been when she had left.

People were walking around with slightly dazed expressions on their faces.

Kyoko sighed in happiness.

This was how Christmas was supposed to look.

She scanned the area looking to catch a glimpse of Kanae but she couldn't spot her.

That was odd.

She was usually waiting for her here.

Kyoko frowned in consternation and then relaxed.

She was probably in the locker room that was all.

It wasn't as if she wouldn't come in on her last day…was it?

Banishing away those thoughts she started on her way up to the locker room to try to find her best friend.

She wasn't there.

Now Kyoko started to feel the first pangs of panic.

She hadn't changed her mind had she?

She hadn't suddenly decided to leave a day early while Kyoko was working and not tell her had she?

No…no of course not.

Kyoko looked around the empty locker room nervously.

She couldn't help herself.

She ran to the break room.

She almost sagged in relief when she saw Kanae sitting with her back to the door.

"Moko!" She called out.

Kanae turned around and smiled brilliantly.

"Kyoko!"

Kyoko rushed over as Kanae stood up and they hugged each other.

"It's so good to see you again! What do you think of the Christmas decorations?"

Kyoko pulled back.

"They're awesome! You've been busy." She let out a nervous laugh, "I thought you might have left a day early when I couldn't find you."

"Without saying goodbye? Nah."

Kyoko smiled then her eyes widened.

"Oh!"

She rummaged in her bag and brought out the carefully wrapped gift.

"This is for you!"

Kanae looked surprised and gently took the present presented to her.

"What is it?"

Kyoko just smiled.

"Open it and find out."

Kanae gave her a calculating look. Then slowly peeled off the wrapping to reveal the thin blue box.

She gave Kyoko a confused look and opened it.

She let out a gasp of surprise as she saw the bracelet inside, resting on a bed of white satin.

Picking out the delicate bracelet she draped it across the palm of her hand to closer scrutinise it.

After a few moments she looked back towards Kyoko in breathless wonder.

"Kyoko…it's…"

Kyoko grinned, bouncing slightly from one foot to the other in excitement.

"Do you like it?" She asked.

"It's…Yes! Yes of course I like it!" She gripped Kyoko into a tight hug. "It's beautiful!"

"I'm so glad!"

Kanae let go and put on the bracelet, lifting her arm so that it caught the light.

"That reminds me!" She turned around and picked up something from the table behind her. "This is for you!"

She passed Kyoko a wrapped present.

Kyoko eagerly accepted it and quickly unwrapped it.

Inside the box was a bottle in the shape of a swan.

"ODETTE!"

Kanae looked confused.

"Um…" Kyoko blushed, "It's…what I always called this perfume…er…"

Kanae giggled. "Don't worry about it."

She glanced at her watch.

"We should probably get going…"

"What are we doing today?" Kyoko asked as she put away her present.

"I think we're just cleaning today."

Kyoko let out a chuckle at the expression on her friend's face.

"Again?"

"I think we're doing something different tomorrow."

"What?"

Kanae shrugged. "Mr Sawara won't tell us."

"Huh…okay…I guess."

Kyoko sighed as she packed away the cleaning equipment.

Today had been hard…

She would never have guessed that having six days off would make a day of cleaning so tiring...

Or maybe it was something else?

For some reason her mind had wandered all day and she would stand and think about nothing at all for minutes at a time and then have to clean at double the speed to catch up

Maybe it was that?

But what was she waiting for?

Ah well…it didn't really matter…

This was Kanae's last day and she had already said goodbye. She seemed to really like her present.

Kyoko was glad.

That was one down all she had to do now was buy everyone else's present and give them out…

And think of Ren's of course.

She still had no idea what to get him.

And he was coming back tomorrow!

Her stomach clenched.

She would be seeing him again tomorrow…

Closing the door she leant against it, propping herself up against the storm of emotions that was raging around inside of her.

The only thing that made itself known to her was an overwhelming feeling of happiness.

Smiling she made her way to her locker to pick up her present and go home.

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.